Urlacher and Peppers want to play smart

Middle linebacker and defensive end vow to take shots but need to avoid penalties

January 06, 2011|By Vaughn McClure, Tribune reporter

Julius Peppers and Brian Urlacher bring down Detroit's Jahvid Best short of converting a third down in the fourth quarter. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune)

Brian Urlacher is focused on the playoffs, but something that occurred Sunday at Green Bay still eats at the Bears linebacker.

On one play, defensive end Julius Peppers was flagged 15 yards for roughing Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers near the sideline after Rodgers had left the pocket and attempted a pass.

"The ref said to Pep, 'You didn't have to hit him.' Well, Rodgers didn't have to sprint out, either,'' Urlacher said. "He didn't have to take the snap.

"Pep didn't hit him in the head. It was a good hit. It wasn't late. I don't understand the rules, but they're going to do what they want to do. But the penalty could have cost us.''

Urlacher has been outspoken all season about the league's crackdown on defenseless and helmet-to-helmet hits. Fortunately for the Bears, the enforcement of those rules hasn't affected the way they play defense.

The Bears finished with 24 defensive penalties, tied with the Bills for the seventh-fewest in the league. Urlacher, Peppers, and rookie Major Wright were fined a total of $30,000 for illegal hits — not an outrageous number considering James Harrison of the Steelers was fined $100,000 alone for four "dangerous'' hits.

"We had to adjust, because those are the rules,'' defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "The team that adjusts the quickest and fastest will continue to play hard and fast.

"I think we have adjusted well, but it's tough. We've played disciplined. We've played smart. The bottom line is, this team wants to win.''

Urlacher, who is in the process of appealing a $10,000 fine for hitting Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe in the head/neck area, vowed not to change his approach from the moment the crackdown was announced. His mindset won't change for the playoffs, either, despite the increased intensity.

"Heck no, I'm not going to change,'' Urlacher said. "I miss enough tackles without second-guessing. It's a physical game. I'm not going to not take a shot because I'm afraid of getting fined.''

Peppers, who said he did not get fined for the Rodgers hit, agreed with Urlacher.

"I'm going to take my shots, if I have them,'' Peppers said. "But I'm going to be smart about it. I don't want to hurt my team with a penalty. But I'm not going to pull up on a hit that might change the game.''